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Warning for running backs: Don't get too carried away
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Getty Images/Rick Stewart
It has earned a name: The Curse of 370.
There is mounting evidence that if a running back carries 370 times in a season, including the postseason, it will be the beginning of the end. Researchers at Football Outsiders have documented the phenomenon.
It says: "A running back with 370 or more carries during the regular season will usually suffer either a major injury or loss of effectiveness the following year, unless he is named Eric Dickerson."
Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Curtis Martin, Jamal Lewis, Ricky Williams, Natrone Means and Hall of Famer Earl Campbell are among those who were not the same the season after having 370 or more carries.
Last season, Kansas City's Larry Johnson had an NFL-record 416 carries. After missing most of the preseason in a holdout, Johnson has only 98 yards on 26 carries in two games this season.
Still Young
Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young still has much to learn in the NFL. This isn't college football, where opponents can be intimidated.
Young spent last Sunday trash-talking at the Indianapolis Colts, including getting a 15-yard penalty for flipping the football at cornerback Kelvin Hayden. (He should have drawn another penalty flag for removing his helmet.)
"That's how people get hurt," Colts safety Bob Sanders said. "We're after you. You know what I'm saying? I told him, 'If I was you, I'd be quiet.'"
At one point, after taking a big hit, Young stayed on the ground. Trainers surrounded him until he caught his breath. Young then bounced up and yelled at the entire Colts' sideline, challenging the defending Super Bowl champions.
"I didn't think that was smart on his part," Sanders said. "He was running around talking and clapping and chanting. I'm like, 'Look, we're hitting you. Are you serious? You're going to start acting like that?'"
After the loss, Young threw his helmet and ripped off his uniform and pads. Last year after a loss to the Colts at the RCA Dome, Young stuck a football cleat in the locker room wall.
Schobel vs. Brady
Buffalo defensive end Aaron Schobel, a TCU product, has more sacks against New England quarterback Tom Brady than any other player, with 10.5 in 12 games.
"He has a lot of things going for him," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He has a great motor. He works hard on every play. He's never out of a play. He has several good moves. He can get up field. He has a good up-and-under move. He has a good spin move.
"Even though he's not the biggest guy, he has explosive power. He's hard to block. He's hard for everybody to block. His speed is a problem. His quickness and change of direction are a problem. His explosive power is a problem. His motor is a problem....He's tough. He's killed us."
Darrent Williams Center
A local Denver radio station had a fundraiser last week for the Darrent Williams Teen Center in the Denver Boys & Girls Club.
The center is expected to open in February.
Williams, a Fort Worth native who went to Wyatt High School, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.
Most of the $415,000 for the Teen Center already has been raised, including $125,000 from Mike Shanahan's golf tournament over the summer and $155,600 from a Denver city community grant. The Broncos charities also will cover the $60,000 annual operating cost for at least two years. Receiver Javon Walker, who was with Williams in the limo the night Williams was killed, has pledged $30,000.
"You can't bring him back by mourning," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey told the Rocky Mountain News. "You have to help kids, do something positive."
My Five Cents
1 If you ever wondered what Tom Brady would do with real receivers, he's showing us. The Patriots are averaging 9.76 yards per passing attempt. Brady's career average is 7.04. Although it's only two games, it's a reflection of a down-the-field attack.
2 It's easy to figure out how the Saints got to 0-2. They have five turnovers, while forcing only one. They have zero sacks. They have given up five deep touchdown passes and 11 passes of 24 yards or more. Kicker Olindo Mare is 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts. All three phases have fallen apart at once.
3 Maybe Donovan McNabb shouldn't give critics anything to criticize. He has one touchdown pass, a 5.37 yards-per-attempt average and a 68.8 passer rating. This very well could be his last season in Philadelphia.
4 Maybe Terrell Owens' hand did play a part in his league-leading 17 dropped passes last season. He is nowhere to be found on Stats Inc.'s list of league leaders this season. Nineteen players have dropped two or more passes, led by New Orleans' Devery Henderson's four, according to Stats, which reviews video.
5 Now that Bill Cowher has departed Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has opened up his playbook. The Steelers rank third overall in yards allowed, first in points and first in fewest first downs allowed. They also have 10 sacks, ranking them second in sacks per passing play.
Who's Hot
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, above, who led the NFL in interceptions last season with 23, has a 101.7 passer rating. He has five touchdown passes and only one interception. Roethlisberger has completed passes to nine receivers -- four wideouts, two tight ends, two running backs and one fullback.
Who's Not
As any fantasy player can tell you, the four leading returning rushers from last season have been underwhelming. San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the NFL with 1,815 rushing yards, has gained 68 yards and has a 1.9 yards per carry average. Kansas City's Larry Johnson (1,789) has 98 yards; San Francisco's Frank Gore (1,695) has 136 yards; and St. Louis' Steven Jackson (1,528) has 118 yards and a 3.0 yards per carry average.
Browns' watch
The Cowboys own the Browns' first-round draft choice in 2008. The more Cleveland loses, the higher the pick will be. This is how the Browns are doing so far:
Last week: The Browns gained 554 yards in their 51-45 upset of the Bengals.
This week: Cleveland plays its first road game, traveling to Oakland (0-2). The Browns haven't won two games in a row since the 16th game of 2003 and the first game of 2004, a span of 49 games.
Record: 1-1
Draft position: The Browns are one of 12 teams with a 1-1 record. Ten teams are 2-0, and 10 teams are 0-2.
"That is his opinion. I really feel like, black or white quarterbacks, we all go through something because that is the life of a quarterback."
Titans QB Vince Young, on Donovan McNabb's contention that black QBs are criticized more than white QBs
NFL BLITZ
By being placed on injured reserve as the result of his spinal cord injury, Bills tight end Kevin Everett is guaranteed to receive his full base salary of $435,000 this year. That would give him a third credited season, which qualifies him for a full NFL pension. The $1,410 monthly payment is based on his number of years in the league. Everett also will receive an additional five years of medical and dental insurance coverage for himself and his family, according to the NFL Players Association. The NFLPA added that Everett's career-ending injury makes him eligible for a total permanent disability benefit, which pays up to $224,000 a year over the life span of his injury. In addition, he will receive a one-time payment of $75,000 as part of the Player Health Reimbursement Plan.
The Texans will be without leading receiver Andre Johnson. Kevin Walter, rookie Jacoby Jones and Jerome Mathis have combined for seven starts, 54 catches and two touchdowns in their careers.
This report contains material from other NFL writers.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
Warning for running backs: Don't get too carried away
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Getty Images/Rick Stewart
It has earned a name: The Curse of 370.
There is mounting evidence that if a running back carries 370 times in a season, including the postseason, it will be the beginning of the end. Researchers at Football Outsiders have documented the phenomenon.
It says: "A running back with 370 or more carries during the regular season will usually suffer either a major injury or loss of effectiveness the following year, unless he is named Eric Dickerson."
Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Curtis Martin, Jamal Lewis, Ricky Williams, Natrone Means and Hall of Famer Earl Campbell are among those who were not the same the season after having 370 or more carries.
Last season, Kansas City's Larry Johnson had an NFL-record 416 carries. After missing most of the preseason in a holdout, Johnson has only 98 yards on 26 carries in two games this season.
Still Young
Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young still has much to learn in the NFL. This isn't college football, where opponents can be intimidated.
Young spent last Sunday trash-talking at the Indianapolis Colts, including getting a 15-yard penalty for flipping the football at cornerback Kelvin Hayden. (He should have drawn another penalty flag for removing his helmet.)
"That's how people get hurt," Colts safety Bob Sanders said. "We're after you. You know what I'm saying? I told him, 'If I was you, I'd be quiet.'"
At one point, after taking a big hit, Young stayed on the ground. Trainers surrounded him until he caught his breath. Young then bounced up and yelled at the entire Colts' sideline, challenging the defending Super Bowl champions.
"I didn't think that was smart on his part," Sanders said. "He was running around talking and clapping and chanting. I'm like, 'Look, we're hitting you. Are you serious? You're going to start acting like that?'"
After the loss, Young threw his helmet and ripped off his uniform and pads. Last year after a loss to the Colts at the RCA Dome, Young stuck a football cleat in the locker room wall.
Schobel vs. Brady
Buffalo defensive end Aaron Schobel, a TCU product, has more sacks against New England quarterback Tom Brady than any other player, with 10.5 in 12 games.
"He has a lot of things going for him," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He has a great motor. He works hard on every play. He's never out of a play. He has several good moves. He can get up field. He has a good up-and-under move. He has a good spin move.
"Even though he's not the biggest guy, he has explosive power. He's hard to block. He's hard for everybody to block. His speed is a problem. His quickness and change of direction are a problem. His explosive power is a problem. His motor is a problem....He's tough. He's killed us."
Darrent Williams Center
A local Denver radio station had a fundraiser last week for the Darrent Williams Teen Center in the Denver Boys & Girls Club.
The center is expected to open in February.
Williams, a Fort Worth native who went to Wyatt High School, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.
Most of the $415,000 for the Teen Center already has been raised, including $125,000 from Mike Shanahan's golf tournament over the summer and $155,600 from a Denver city community grant. The Broncos charities also will cover the $60,000 annual operating cost for at least two years. Receiver Javon Walker, who was with Williams in the limo the night Williams was killed, has pledged $30,000.
"You can't bring him back by mourning," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey told the Rocky Mountain News. "You have to help kids, do something positive."
My Five Cents
1 If you ever wondered what Tom Brady would do with real receivers, he's showing us. The Patriots are averaging 9.76 yards per passing attempt. Brady's career average is 7.04. Although it's only two games, it's a reflection of a down-the-field attack.
2 It's easy to figure out how the Saints got to 0-2. They have five turnovers, while forcing only one. They have zero sacks. They have given up five deep touchdown passes and 11 passes of 24 yards or more. Kicker Olindo Mare is 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts. All three phases have fallen apart at once.
3 Maybe Donovan McNabb shouldn't give critics anything to criticize. He has one touchdown pass, a 5.37 yards-per-attempt average and a 68.8 passer rating. This very well could be his last season in Philadelphia.
4 Maybe Terrell Owens' hand did play a part in his league-leading 17 dropped passes last season. He is nowhere to be found on Stats Inc.'s list of league leaders this season. Nineteen players have dropped two or more passes, led by New Orleans' Devery Henderson's four, according to Stats, which reviews video.
5 Now that Bill Cowher has departed Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has opened up his playbook. The Steelers rank third overall in yards allowed, first in points and first in fewest first downs allowed. They also have 10 sacks, ranking them second in sacks per passing play.
Who's Hot
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, above, who led the NFL in interceptions last season with 23, has a 101.7 passer rating. He has five touchdown passes and only one interception. Roethlisberger has completed passes to nine receivers -- four wideouts, two tight ends, two running backs and one fullback.
Who's Not
As any fantasy player can tell you, the four leading returning rushers from last season have been underwhelming. San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the NFL with 1,815 rushing yards, has gained 68 yards and has a 1.9 yards per carry average. Kansas City's Larry Johnson (1,789) has 98 yards; San Francisco's Frank Gore (1,695) has 136 yards; and St. Louis' Steven Jackson (1,528) has 118 yards and a 3.0 yards per carry average.
Browns' watch
The Cowboys own the Browns' first-round draft choice in 2008. The more Cleveland loses, the higher the pick will be. This is how the Browns are doing so far:
Last week: The Browns gained 554 yards in their 51-45 upset of the Bengals.
This week: Cleveland plays its first road game, traveling to Oakland (0-2). The Browns haven't won two games in a row since the 16th game of 2003 and the first game of 2004, a span of 49 games.
Record: 1-1
Draft position: The Browns are one of 12 teams with a 1-1 record. Ten teams are 2-0, and 10 teams are 0-2.
"That is his opinion. I really feel like, black or white quarterbacks, we all go through something because that is the life of a quarterback."
Titans QB Vince Young, on Donovan McNabb's contention that black QBs are criticized more than white QBs
NFL BLITZ
By being placed on injured reserve as the result of his spinal cord injury, Bills tight end Kevin Everett is guaranteed to receive his full base salary of $435,000 this year. That would give him a third credited season, which qualifies him for a full NFL pension. The $1,410 monthly payment is based on his number of years in the league. Everett also will receive an additional five years of medical and dental insurance coverage for himself and his family, according to the NFL Players Association. The NFLPA added that Everett's career-ending injury makes him eligible for a total permanent disability benefit, which pays up to $224,000 a year over the life span of his injury. In addition, he will receive a one-time payment of $75,000 as part of the Player Health Reimbursement Plan.
The Texans will be without leading receiver Andre Johnson. Kevin Walter, rookie Jacoby Jones and Jerome Mathis have combined for seven starts, 54 catches and two touchdowns in their careers.
This report contains material from other NFL writers.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
